Liquid fuel vaporizer



Oct. 11, 1932. R. F. LCNABERGER ET AL 1,882,388

LIQUID FUEL VAPORIZER Original Filed Oct. 27, 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 2967 thwart/ 5w Palm/"f FLo/ vabecger Char/as ESQ/1015".

Oct. 11,.1932. R. F. LONABERGER ET AL 1,882,388

LIQUID FUEL VAPORIZER Original Filed Oct. 27. 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 2(jTWKlh EIZO E0607 Flonoz erger:

Char/a; 50/145;

Oct. 11, 1932. RF. LONABERGER ET AL 1,882,333

LIQUID FUEL VAPORIZER Original Filed Oct. 27. 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 32062/? E .Lbrlabefqen C/mr/c J F50/70S1 MW a/FEnwwv p Oct. 11, 1932. R.F. LONABERGER ET AL 1,382,388

LIQUID FUEL VAPORI ZER Original Filed Oct. 27. 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 J.4 W a L Patented Oct. 11, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROBERT F.LONAIBERGER AND CHARLES F. SANDS, F READING, PENNSYLVANIA,

ASSIGNORSTO LLOYD A. UNGER, TRUSTEE 1 LIQUID FUEL VAZPORIZER Originalapplication filed October 27, 1922, SerialNo. 597,426. Divided and thisapplication filed April 12,

1929. Serial This application is a division of our application Ser. No.597,426, filed October 27, 1922, for improvements in Vaporizers forinternal combustion engines.

This invention relates to devices for producing a gaseous fuel fromheavy liquid hydrocarbons, and specifically aimstoimprove the operationof internal combustion engines using kerosene and other non-volatileliquid fuels; also to improve the burning properties of gaseous fuelmixtures produced from heavy liquid fuels, so as to eliminate uncombinedcarbon and smoke from the products of combustion; andto provide avaporizer for heavy liquid fuels, such as petroleum distillate and fueloil, to enable such fuels to be used in internal combustion enginesdesigned for running on gasoline.

Further aims and advantages of the invention appear hereinafter inconnection with the description of the illustrative embodimentthereofshown in the drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a vaporizerintended for a multi-cylinder vertical explosion engine;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the line 3-3 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a horizontalcross-section on the line 44 in Fig. 3; V

Fig. 5 is a transverse cross-section on the line 55 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary cross-section on the line 66 in Fig. 3, showingthe main fuel nozzle and starting valve in open position; and

Fig. 7 is a cross-section through the main mixing chamber on the line7-7 in Fig. 6.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings isparticularly intended for automobile engines, and comprises a body 11provided with a flanged outlet pipe 12 which is adapted to be attachedto the inlet pipe or manifold 10 of an engine, to which it suppliesvaporized fuel mixed with air ready for combustion in the usual manner.A throttle valve 13 is arranged in this outlet pipe, and there are otherfeatures of resemblance to the ordinary carburetor for vaporizinggasoline.

Liquid fuel is supplied to the device from a suitable gravity orpressure tank (not shown) through two feed chambers, 14, 15, arrangedfor convenience one over the other. The upper or auxiliary feed chamber14-supplies the fuel for starting purposes, and for heating andvaporizing the fuel from the main feed chamber 15. Floats 16 (see Fig.3), and valves 17 controlled thereby through suitable adjustableconnections, maintain the liquid fuel at the proper level in the feedchambers to feed by gravity to the auxiliary or heating feed nozzle 18and the main feed nozzle 19. A flooding device 20 is provided fordepressing the float 16 in the auxiliary fuel chamber upon starting theengine cold. Air under pressure is supplied through the pipes 21 to theair. passages 22, surrounding the feed nozzles 18, 19, anddischargespast the nozzle openings for the purpose of atomizing the fuel andinsuring a continuous flow varyingin quantity with the velocity of theair. Preferably the air is supplied from a pump (not shown) driven at aspeed proportional to the speed of the engine, and

thereby the flow of fuel isincreased with an increase inthe enginespeed; but any suitable means for supplying air at theproper rate forefficient operation may be utilized.

The auxiliary fuel nozzle 18 discharges into a duct 23 leading to amixing and partial combustion or burning chamber 24 where the atomizedfuel is mixed with air from an inlet pipe 25. The atomized fuel and airare conducted past a suitable heating element 26 arranged within theduct 23, preferably of the type of electrical resistance heating deviceshown and described in our Patent No.

therein.

The gaseous products pass from the burn-*-- pass directly from the pipe31 into the lower end 32 of the main mixing chamber, and by the mainfeed nozzle 19, and mingle with the atomized fuel issuing from the feednozzle. A suitable .valve .34is-arranged in the passage between the pipe31 and the lower end 32 of the main mixing chamber to cut off the flowof hot gases from the burning chamber as the device gets warmed up anddeflect them into the annular chamber 35 surrounding the end of the pipe31, and thence they pass up through the outer series of small tubes 36and down through the inner return tubes to reach the lower end 32 of themain mixing chamber. The tortuous and restricted passage through thesetubes effectually prevents any flame from reaching the main mixingchamber. r

Additional air for mixing with the vapor ized fuel from the main nozzle19 is taken in through theinlet pipe37 and warmed in the annular chamber38 surrounding the burning chamber 24, and thence is led through thevalved pipe 39 to the annular chamber 40 surrounding the main mixingchamber 33, and is conducted around and past the series of tubes 36 intothe annular chamber .35, where the air from intake pipe 37 and the hotgases from the burning chamber 24 mingle and pass together through thetubes 36 and into the lower end 32 of the main mixing chamber, andthrough the narrow passage or throat surrounding the main feed nozzle 19into the main mixing chamber 33. The amount of additional air admittedfrom the intake 37 may be controlled by the valve 41 in the pipe 39.This valve also serves as a choke valve to assist in starting theengineas'hereinafter described. 1 V l The cooler additional air from theintake 37 keeps the burning chamber 24 from getting overheated, andcools the heated gases from the burning chamber suthciently to preventignition of the fuel in the main mixing chamher, as the flame will notpropagate itself through the tubes 36. This air also furnishes thenecessary amount of oxygen to make an explosive. vaporized .mixture whenmingled with the vaporized fuel issuing from the nozzle 19. p I

For the purpose of controlling the relative proportions of the airsupplied to the burning chamber and main mixing chamber, a valve 42 isarranged inthe air inlet pipe 25 leading to theburning chamber 24 tooperate at the same time as the valve 41, but in the opposite direction,that is, when one closes the other opens (see Fig. 4). Any suitabledevice, such, for example, as the link 43, may be used for operativelyconnecting these valves. A second link 44 may be provided to connect theair control valves 41, 42, with the throttle valve 13 so all threevalves may be operated conjoint-1y, the throttle valve and additionalair valve opening together while the heating air valve closes. A setscrew 45 may be used to ad u'st the minimum opening of the preheatingairvalve 42, further movement of the link 43 causing it to slide throughthe end of the arm 46 that operates that valve.

. In order that the additional air valve 41 may be closed to choke theair intake pipe and make a richer mixture for starting the engine, thearm 47 operating it (see Fig. 2) is provided with a spring pin 48normally engaging in a notch in the operating lever 49 to cause thelever and arm to move together.

tions of the operating lever 49 and throttle .1 valve 13. The choker rodis also connected to the valve 34 in the passage 31 to the mixingchamber, so as to open this valve on starting and close itwhen thevalve41 is released.

Any suitable'means for operating the throttie and air valves may beprovided. In the device shown in the drawings (see Figs. 1 and 2) theadditional air valve lever 49 has a pivoted follower 52 which engages ina p a fork 53 on a control lever 54 the other end of which may beconnected to the accelerator rodor other suitable control device. A hooklever 55 also engages the control lever 54 to move it toward openposition, while also leaving it free to be moved toward open pos1- tionby the accelerator rod. The rod 56 for moving the hook lever 55 may beconnected to the quadrant lever on the steering wheel, if the device isapplied to an automobile engine, or to any convenient control handle. I3

Thus either means of controlling the throttle and air valves may be usedas in the case of the usual carburetor for automobile engines.

In order to vary the amount of vaporized. fuel admitted to the mainmixing chamber the main feed nozzle 19 is provided with an adjustableneedle valve 57 operated in conjunction with the throttle valve 13 byany suitable means. As shown in Fig. 3, the needle valve 57 is threadedthrough a nut 58 at its upper end, the nut being normally held instationary position in a housing' 59 by a spring 60. The upper end ofthe needle valve projects above the housing and has an arm 61 pinned toit which projects into the path of a projection 62 on the arm thatoperates the throttle valve 13; A spring 63 attached to the arm 61returns the needle valve when the throttle is closed. V

A bell crank lever 64 is mounted on the housing 59 with one branchengaging the end of the needle valve to depress it and close the valvewhen desired, the spring 63 permitting the needle valve and nut to -movedown together when depressed'by the-"bell crank lever. Similar bellcranks 65' are pro vided for the float controlled valves 17 in the fuelfeed chambers 14, 15, to enable them to be closed to prevent passage ofliquid fuel when desired. The bell cranks 64 and 65 are con nected by asuitable cable 66 or other connection. to a control button or otherdevice 0on veniently located to permit all three fuel valves to beclosed simultaneously, as is desirable when the engine is' not runningto prevent leakage of fuel. Fuel drip and drain pipes 67 are alsoprovided at low points in the body of the device for catching condensedfuel and returning it to the fuel supply.

The igniter 27 for starting combustion of the auxiliary fuel heatercomprises a resist ance element 68 (see Fig. 5) preferably a carbon rod,that may be raised to incandescence instantaneously by a suitablecurrent from a small storage battery (not shown). This resistanceelement is mounted at one end in an insulated support 69 havingaterminal connection 70, and at the other end in a shield 71 inserted inthe side wall of the burning chamber 24. The shield may be made ofnickel or other suitable metal or alloy, and preferably is provided witha number of small orifices to permit a portion of the fuel mixture tocome in contact with the incandescent carbon rod. The shield preventsrapid deterioration of the rod by oxidation. The igniter is onlynecessary for a brief moment at starting to light the fuel mixture inthe burning chamber, which continues to burn thereafter until the engineis stopped.

v The device may be operated with any internal combustion engine of theusual single or multi-cylinder types, having suitable pis ton and valvemechanism for sucking in successive charges, compressing the charges,and igniting them by an electric spark or other suitable means. Firstthe igniter 27 is started to heat the burning chamber 24, and when themotor starts the heating element 26 operates to warm up the fuel and airmixing pasages leading to the burning chamber. The

choker rod is actuated to close the air valve 41 and open the gas valve34 and flood the fuel chamber 14. Upon admitting air from the pressurepipe 21 to the heating fuel feed As the time for burning is insufhcientto oxidize all of the fuel completely the products ofcombustionleaving-the combustion chamburning chamber the. ignitiondevice 27 may be turned 0a butthe heating element 26 is preferably keptinaction during the whole period of operation of the vaporizer.

The VflPOIlZELiZlOll'Of tie liquid fuel in the coil 28createssuifici-ent pressure in the main fuel feed pipe 29 and nozzle 19to cause the vaporized fuel to mingle with the air issuing (also underpressure) from the air passages 22 in a stream whichpasses at highvelocity into the mixing chamber and hence into the cylinders, therebysupplementing the suction and assisting in filling the cylinders withfull charges of fuel.

As the devicewarms up, the choker rod is moved to close the valve 34,open the air Q5 valve 41 and raise the flooding device 20, whereupon thehot mixture of gas, vapor anl .air, from the burning chamber is divertedthrough the pipes 36 to warm the "mixing chamber and additional airsupply from the auxiliary air intake 37. As the throttle valve 13 isopened to increase the amount of mixture supplied to the engine theauxiliary air valve 41 is opened and the air valve 42 1s closedcorrespondingly, thereby maintaining the proper balance between theproportions and the com-.

of preheating air and additional air for the best results. Also 0 eninthethrottle valve 13 increases the opening of the valve metering pin 57that controls theamount of vaporized fuel issuing from the nozzle'l) inthe embodiment of the device illustrated in the drawings. I

It is evident that the various features of the invention, such as thepreliminary heating device for starting the operation of the vaporizer,the combustion burner for developing theheat necessary for vaporizationof the heavy fuel, the auxiliary air heating and controlling means formodifying the gaseous fuel to suit operating conditions, and theadditional fuel supply means and controlling devices therefor, each maybe utilized separately and in other combinations for otherpurposes thanthe internal combustionengine vaporizer herein described. 7

Having described an illustratlve embodlmeut of our invention, withoutlimiting ourselvesthereto, we claim the following:

1. A- vaporizer comprising a liquid fuel feed nozzle, means forvaporizing the fuel discharging therefrom, an inner air passagesurrounding said nozzle, a system of small air pipes surrounding saidinner air passage and leading thereto, in combination with 'cool themand then mingling it with said preheated gaseous mixture supply andpassing the mixture through said inner passage.

2. A vaporizer Comprising a liquid fuel feed nozzle, means forvaporizing the fuel discharging therefrom, an inner air passagesurrounding said nozzle, a system of small air pipes surrounding saidinner air passage and leading thereto, in combination with means forpreheating a portion of the gaseous mixture supply to a high temperaturefor conducting it throughsaid small air pipes to cool it, means forconducting additional air around said small air pipes to cool them andthen mingling it with said preheated gaseous mixture supply and passingthe mixture through said inner passage, and means for controlling therelative proportions of preheated air and additional air. I

i 3. A vaporizer comprising a liquid fuel feed nozzle, means forvaporizing the fuel discharging therefrom, an inner air passagesurrounding said nozzle, a system of small air pipes surrounding saidinner air passage and leading thereto, and a throttle valve forcontrolling the outflow from said vaporizer, in combination with meansfor preheating a portion of the gaseous mixture supply to a hightemperature and conducting it through said small air pipes to cool it,means for conducting additional air around said small air pipes to coolthem and then mingling it with said preheated gaseous mixture supply andpassing the mixture through said inner passage, and means forcontrolling the relative proportions of preheated air. and additionalair, said controlling means operating in conjunction with said throttlevalve.

4. In a vaporizer for heavy liquid fuels having a fuel feed nozzle,means for supplying fuel thereto, a fluid preheater operated by fuelfrom a second supply means having a flooding device, a normal air supplyfor said fuel feed nozzle, and synchronized means for flooding said fuelsupply means, choking said normal air supply and diverting gaseousproducts from said preheater to said normal supply when desired.

5. In a vaporizer for heavy liquid fuels, a mixing chamber having a fuelfeed nozzle and an air passage surrounding it, a gas pipe leading tosaid air passage, a heater for preheating the fluid supplied to said gaspipe, said heater operating by burning fuel therei in, a by-pass leadingfrom said pipe to said passage and having ducts for conducting'saidfluid, and a valve for closing said pipe and causing said fluid to passthrough said bypass and ducts on its way to said passage.

6. In a vaporizer for heavy liquid fuels, a mixing chamber having a fuelfeed nozzle and an air passage surrounding it, a gas pipe leading tosaid air passage, a heater for preheating the fluid supplied to said gaspipe, a by-pass leading from said pipe to said passage and comprisingmeans for cooling said fluid, a valve for closing said pipe and causingsaid fluid to pass through said by-pass to said passage, an additionalair supply to said passage and choker valve therein, and means forclosing said choker valve and opening said first mentioned valve uponstarting.

7. In a vaporizer for heavy liquid fuels having two sources of fuel, oneheavy and one light, a fuel feed nozzle and means for supplying heavyfuel thereto, a fluid preheater operated by lighter fuel from saidsecond supply means, an atmospheric air supply for said fuel feednozzle, means for choking said atmospheric air supply, and a valve controlled passage for diverting gaseous products from said preheater tosaid atmospheric air supply when desired.

8. In a vaporizer for liquid fuels, a fluid mixer comprising a mixingchamber having a fuel feed nozzle and a gas passage surrounding it, anair pipe leading to said gas passage, a heater for preheating fuelsupplied to said nozzle and the air supplied to saidair pipe, saidheater operating by burning fuel therein an outlet pipe leading fromsaid heater to said passage and a bypass having ducts communicating withsaid air pipe, and a valve for closing said outlet pipe and causing saidgaseous product to pass through said by-pass and ducts on its way tosaid passage.

, 9. In a vaporizer for liquid fuels having a fuel feed nozzledischarging into a fluid mixture passage leading to a discharge pipe, anair pipe leading to said mixture passage, electric means for heating theair and fuel mixture in said mixture passage, an auxiliary air inletleading to said passage andhavingmeans for controlling the flow ofairtherein, and

a second fuel feed nozzle in said mixture'passage, a valve forcontrolling the flow of fuel through said second nozzle, said mixturepassage comprising an extensive system of narrow passages for utilizingthe heat of products of combustion for preheating the fluid mixtureprior to leaving the vaporizer,

and means for discontinuing the electric air and fuel heating meansafter the operation of said vaporizer has started.

10. A vaporizer for heavy liquid fuels having a fuel feed nozzle, meansfor supplying fuel thereto, a fluid preheater operated by fuel from asecond supply means, an air supp y r Said fuel feed nozzle, means forchok 3 passage, a heater for preheating fuel sup plied to said nozzleand the fluid supplied to said gas pipe, a by-pass leading from saidpipe to said passage and comprising means for cooling said fluid, avalve for closing said pipe and causing said fluid to pass through saidby-pass to said passage, an additional air supply to said passage and achoker valve therein, and means for closing said choker valve andopening-said first mentioned valve upon starting.

12. A starting means for liquid fuel vaporizers comprising a fuelsupply, an intake duct, and a closed receptacle containing air and meansfor connecting it with said fuel supply, a heating electrode in saidreceptacle and means for supplying electric current thereto, a contactignition point exposed to the fuel in said receptacle cooperating withsaid electrode and a duct from said receptacle to said intake duct.

13. A starting means for liquid fuel vaporizers comprising a fuelsupply, an intake duct and means for admitting air thereto, a closedreceptacle containing air and means for connecting it with said fuelsupply, a heating electrode in said receptacle and means for supplyingelectric current thereto, a contact ignition point in said receptaclecooperating with said electrode and a duct from said receptacle to saidintake duct, in combination with a fuel supply nozzle in said duct andcontrol means for regulating the supply of fuel and air theretoindependently of the supply to said receptacle.

14. A starting means for liquid fuel vaporizers for internal combustionengines comprising a fuel supply, an intake passage and means foradmitting air thereto, a closed receptacle and means for connecting itwith said fuel supply, a heating electrode in said receptacle and meansfor supplying electric current thereto, a contact ignition point in saidreceptacle cooperating with said electrode and a duct from saidreceptacle to said intake passage, in combination with a fuel supplynozzle in said passage and control means for regulating the supply offuel and air thereto independently of the supply to said receptacle,said control means including a choke valve, and means for actuating saidchoke valve independently of or in connection with said control means,said actuating means including a detachable connection.

15. A starting means for liquid fuel vaporizers for internal combustionengines comprising a fuel supply, an intake passage and means foradmittingair thereto, a closed receptacle and means for connectin itwith said fuel supply, an electrode in said receptacle and means forsupplying electric current thereto, a contact point in said receptaclecooperating with said electrode and a duct from said receptacle to saidintake passage, in combination with a fuel supply nozzle in said passageand control means for regulating the supply of fuel and air theretoindependently of the supply to said receptacle, said control meansincluding a throttle valve and a choke valve, and means for ac; tuatingsaid choke valve independently of or in connection with said controlmeans, said actuating means including a detachable connection betweensaid throttle and choke valves.

16. A starting means for liquid fuel vaporizers for internal combustionengines comprising a. fuel supply, an intake passage and means foradmitting air thereto, a closed receptacle and means for connecting itwith said fuel supply, an electrode in said receptacle and means forsupplying electric cur rent thereto, a contact point in said receptaclecooperating with said electrode and a duct from said receptacle to saidintake passage, in combination with a fuel supply nozzle in said passageand control means for regulating the supply of fuel and air theretoindependently of the supply to said receptacle, said control meansincluding a throttle valve and a choke valve, and means for actuatingsaid choke valve independently of or in connection with said controlmeans, said actuating means including a detachable connection betweensaid throttle and choke valves comprising a spring retained latch bar.

17. A starting means for liquid fuel vaporizers for internal combustionengines comprising a fuel supply, an intake passage and means foradmitting air thereto, a closed receptacle and means .for connecting itwith said fuel supply, an air supply passage to said closed receptacle,an electrode in said receptacle and means for supplying electric currentthereto, and a duct from said receptacle to said intake passage, andcontrol means for regulating the supply of fuel and air independently ofthe supply to said closed receptacle, said control means including athrottle valve and a choke valve, and means for actuating said chokevalve independently of or in connection with said control means,including a detachable connection between said throttle and chokevalves.

In testimony whereof, we have signed our U names to this specification.

ROBERT F. LONABERGER. CHARLES F. SANDS.

